Sicily in November

I'm going to Sicily for one week at the begining of November and am
looking for recommendations for places to go / avoid. The prime reason
for this holiday is to relax and enjoy the food, though it would be
nice to have the flexibility to explore and see the sights on those
days we're feeling energetic!

We (my wife, my one year old daughter and I) fly into Catania but from
what I've heard there isn't much of a reason to stay there; places
suggested so far include Siracusa and Taormina.

Would you suggest that we base ourself out of one location (and if so
where?) and then explore or do you think seven days is enough time to
do three days in one place and four days in another (again, where do
you suggest)?

Would you suggest we get a car or are the trains as good as mainland
Italy?

Any tips re hotels (good 3*s and 4*s) would also be appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Yamit

North of Italy there are the Aeolian Islands (also called: Lipari Islands).
There are 7 small islands and all volcanic. Stromboli and Volcano are
awesome for nice hikes (Stromboli is more or less one volcano with a little
village). There are not many places to stay there, but it's really
fascinating. There's a cheap car ferry from Naples, but I think you can go
there from Catania as well.

-Alexandra-

Yamit wrote:
> I'm going to Sicily for one week at the begining of November and am
> looking for recommendations for places to go / avoid. The prime reason
> for this holiday is to relax and enjoy the food, though it would be
> nice to have the flexibility to explore and see the sights on those
> days we're feeling energetic!
>
> We (my wife, my one year old daughter and I) fly into Catania but from
> what I've heard there isn't much of a reason to stay there; places
> suggested so far include Siracusa and Taormina.
>
> Would you suggest that we base ourself out of one location (and if so
> where?) and then explore or do you think seven days is enough time to
> do three days in one place and four days in another (again, where do
> you suggest)?
>
> Would you suggest we get a car or are the trains as good as mainland
> Italy?
>
> Any tips re hotels (good 3*s and 4*s) would also be appreciated.
>
> Many Thanks,
>
> Yamit
>

Yamit wrote:

> I'm going to Sicily for one week at the begining of November and am
> looking for recommendations for places to go / avoid. The prime
> reason for this holiday is to relax and enjoy the food, though it
> would be nice to have the flexibility to explore and see the sights
> on those days we're feeling energetic!
>
> We (my wife, my one year old daughter and I) fly into Catania but from
> what I've heard there isn't much of a reason to stay there; places
> suggested so far include Siracusa and Taormina.
>
> Would you suggest that we base ourself out of one location


Definitely not. Sicily is much too big for that.


> (and if so
> where?) and then explore or do you think seven days is enough time to
> do three days in one place and four days in another (again, where do
> you suggest)?


My favorite places to visit in Sicily, in no particular order, are Taormina,
Palermo, Agrigento, and Erice.



> Would you suggest we get a car or are the trains as good as mainland
> Italy?


I've aways had a rental car in Sicily, and don't know the train situation
well at all.


--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

Would you suggest we get a car or are the trains as good as mainland
Italy?

- The trains are good, but tend to be subject to strange holiday
schedules. We were stuck in Siracusa one night due to an odd schedule.
The buses seem to be pretty much reliable, though do try to get on the
express bus - not the local which stops in every single town. Nice to
see the little towns you would never see otherwise, but tiresome when
you just want to get to your hotel. As for driving, it depends on
how adventurous you are! I drove in Catania once and Taormina once.
In Catania, it was almost impossible to park. People seem to think
nothing of just handing off their car keys to guys standing in the
street who would ostensibly then go and park their cars for them. LOL
- however, as they were never wearing uniforms, I was terrified to hand
them the car keys. Since no one ever seemed to have trouble getting
their cars, I assume they were legitimate, though.

I was only on the East Coast, so no hints as to Palermo or anything out
there, but I did enjoy Taormina (had an apartment there), Siracusa,
Naxos, and even Catania (great shopping).

One note: The weather in November and December was variable during
each of my visits. One day would be extremely hot, followed by three
days of raging storms. During the storms, Taormina blacked out all the
time, so a small flashlight or tea light candles were helpful. If the
weather is good, try to do the climb of Mt. Etna.

Also, in Taormina there's a very good restaurant off the Corso Umberto
called Da'Rita. Primarily pizzas (try the mafiosa pizza), but also one
of the few places to get a really good salad.

Have fun!
~ Dena

> >>> Would you suggest that we base ourself out of one location
> >> Definitely not. Sicily is much too big for that.

> >>> Would you suggest we get a car or are the trains as good as mainland
> >>> Italy?
>
Hasn't anybody other than me noticed that this couple is traveling with
a one-year-old baby? The child is probably somewhat walking, and
adjustments in travel ambitions may be needed (until the child is
older; say, 18...:)). Staying in one wonderful large city (perhaps
Palermo) with trattorie, ancient churches, outdoor areas to walk around
plus indoor lobbies, might make more sense. The 2 parents may be able
to trade off time with each other so that each gets a chance to be a
fast-walking, history-concentrating tourist, for half the day, while
the other does the major child care. Long inland trips through the
hill towns might not be a good idea, especially if the car rental place
doesn't provide a safe baby seat. My advice: stay in one place. Not a
perfect trip, but a good compromise.

But everyone in Sicily will love the baby and you may be treated better
than tourists usually are.

C.C.

Thank you Alexandra, Giovanni, Ken, Dena, Mary, CC and Dan.

As CC said we do have a tempestuous child with us so we do need to be
slightly pragmatic about how much we can fit in. It's looking like
we'll stay on the East side of Sicily this time and look at doing the
West another time...especially as I've heard so many wonderful things
about Palermo and Agrigento.

Current thoughts are to:
>> Hire a car

>> Base ourselves in Siracusa for half the holiday - as I really want to see the Greek Ruins and the Temples of Ortigya. Also its a convenient place to take a day trip to Modica to pick up some of their famous chocolate liqueur!

>> Base ourselves in Taormina for the second half of the holiday - everyone speaks so highly of it and we could also see/climb Mt Etna. We could also make a day trip up to Milazzo and see if we can get across to the Lipari Islands

Of course if we have problems with our daughter and/or weather both
Siracusa and Taormina look like ideal places for us to while the day
away in a piazza somewhere with a good cup of coffee and a novel
(currently thinking 'Midnight in Sicily' by Peter Robb).

Either way, hopefully that should provide us with an nice introduction
to Sicily and ensure us a pleasant holiday.

Yamit

Yamit wrote:

> (currently thinking 'Midnight in Sicily' by Peter Robb).

I'm taking two books. That's one. The other is
"The Wine Dark Sea" by Leonardo Sciascia.

--
Something like: "ntlworld" "com" "dot" "at" "marypegg"